Apparently the incoming Administration is a tad concerned that there may be one or two people who wish to express a negative opinion about the way they are conducting themselves.
The National Park Service has filed an “omnibus blocking permit” on behalf of the Presidential Inaugural Committee in order to protect delicate Republicon fee fees on this point.
This is clearly aimed at squashing the Million Women March/Women’s March on Washington planned for January 21, as well as a counter-inaugural planned on January 20 itself, and any other nascent protest plans by folks who might want to point out that the would-be emperor has no clothes.
The National Park Service is claiming in Orwellian fashion that all these historic areas are “construction zones” between November 1 and March 1 because they are building “inauguration bleachers and viewing stands”.
I grew up in DC and can say for a fact that it does not take ten weeks to build the reviewing stands or six weeks to take them down. Not only that, somehow every other presidential inauguration managed to handle inauguration construction without the need for a blocking permit that lasts for weeks. Back when traffic used to go right past the White House on Pennsylvania Avenue, the reviewing stands were usually down the next day! Maybe DJT is having a hard time hiring roadies—any national tour rock band staff can tear down a stage that big in a matter of hours.
I know DC well and have a suggestion that I don’t mind stating publicly because I don’t think there is anything Rcons can do about it. We should go to DC anyway, writing protest slogans on our coats and wearing large buttons on our outerwear (since they may confiscate signs) and just walk up and down the streets on the sidewalks in the nearby downtown business districts. Those who care to may break into song, or begin talking loudly with one another in a rhythmic repetitive fashion. Although those actions may lead to arrest for disturbing the peace, they cannot bar people from walking on every downtown and uptown sidewalk. Those streets need to be open and accessible because the stores and restaurants and hotels count on doing big business from inauguration visitors. And they cannot know for sure that we are not there to shop or eat!
A hundred smaller protests stretched out all over the three major business districts of the city will be much harder to police. Business owners will be extremely angry that a million extra people wandering about aimlessly are making it harder for customers to get in and out of their establishments. Dawn will break over Marblehead and they will realize that is the reason why large protests should be taken to areas like the Mall and the Lincoln Memorial where they do not interfere with regular sidewalk traffic.
Funniest thing about this, if any part of it could be said to be funny (we have to laugh to keep from crying) is that they think we will have calmed down by March 1. Damn—that’s just getting to be good protesting weather! Besides, how do they know we are not there to see the cherry blossoms?
LBNL, anyone who thinks they will allow demonstrations after March 1, please raise your hand.
I don’t see any hands in the air. Perhaps you didn’t understand the directions.
* * * * * * * * *
Everyone please read and rec these other diaries on the same topic
I used search and didn’t see another diary about
…
I used search and didn’t see another diary about this. If someone else has already covered this I will delete, but I just heard about it and if I missed it maybe others did as well.
i just found jabberwoky’s diary also. but I want
…
i just found
jabberwoky’s diary
also. but I want people to see my alternative protest plan
Everyone is focusing on the Lincoln Memorial because that was supposed to be the site of the Women’s March, but the blocking permit also includes the Mall, the Washington Monument, and Pennsylvania Avenue.
I fully expect they will expand it to cover more areas before Jan 20 gets here.
With a MAJOR one in NYC at Trump Tower. Wouldn’t
…
With a MAJOR one in NYC at Trump Tower. Wouldn’t filling Central Park be just as powerful? I’d really like to see a massive climate march. Sad that none seem planned.
I disagree: only a huge one at Trump Tower and a
…
I disagree: only a huge one at Trump Tower and a huge one at DC are necessary. EVERYONE should plan to go to one of those. Photos / videos of gigantic crowds are the only way to break through the media blackout.
IF we had GOOD organizers (like UNIONS in Europe …
IF we had GOOD organizers (like UNIONS in Europe) the dictator could not abolish the right to protest which is freedom of speech.
WE need LEADERS who will decide whether bit will be local and in Washington (for locals)…
My guess though is that NO MATTER WHAT< there will be local protests (maybe unorganized) by the people who cannot go to the capital.
I am still waiting to see who is getting buses ready and paying for the trip for the MANY of us who cannot afford the trip (even by bus). Where are the Millionaires on the Clinton side? Where are the Clintons? where is the Clinton foundation when it matters? a and by the way, Are they contributing for the recount of votes?
I think there are groups already suing. These gu
…
I think there are groups already suing. These guys ...www.disruptj20.org are planning on disrupting a lot of things on Jan 20th at the inaugural. Michael Moore has been advertising them. Anyone interested in street action...contact them.
Does this mean that if you show up to the inaugu
…
Does this mean that if you show up to the inauguration with a T-Shirt that has “Trump” written on it with the universal
“no”
symbol over it (the red circle with the slash through it) you could be arrested for protesting without a permit?
I was actually serious about this question. I do …
I was actually serious about this question. I do not know the answer but it seems that ANY show dissent could be viewed as a protest … and since they have officially said no protest permits until March … could a “Not my President“ button get you hauled off the Mall there in DC ?
I’m no expert on this, but I would think that wo
…
I’m no expert on this, but I would think that would fall under your right to free speech. If Corporation’s money is free speech, a button or T-shirt better be! But the fact that this is a real question speaks volumes to the damage that is already done by Himself. We cannot take our Individual rights to freedom of speech or assembly for granted anymore.
I recall during the Bush/Cheney regime there was
…
I recall during the Bush/Cheney regime there was a man and his son who were staying in a hotel that was having a fundraiser that Dubya appeared at. This man left his hotel room wearing a T-Shirt that had Bushes name on it with a red x over the name. Both the man and his son were wisked from the hotel grounds by Bush Security members and “detained” for hours before finally being released — having never been charged with anything.
To this day I am appalled by what seems a blatant attack on free speech.
I’d say there’d be a better than average chance of a massive repeat of this. Remember when their team actually shunted protestors practically entirely offsite, even when the only act of protest was such a t-shirt? As in shoved away behind a chain link fence? And thrown out of the gallery of one of the houses of Congress. For a freaking *t-shirt*?? Yes, it all falls under freedom of speech and the First Amendment — which is under serious assault, and is precisely one of the main things we have to fight.
The sad fact is that Trump and his weasel-pack r
…
The sad fact is that Trump and his weasel-pack really are a dictators. I know I don;t want my tax dollars to be used for a fat party for pigs who think they are better than everyone else.
4 Tea party ‘protesters’ sitting in lawn chairs get national coverage….but on the other hand, there are opinions that those in power would rather NOT hear.
My question exactly! It does say that ALL protes
…
My question exactly! It does say that ALL protests on the Mall are cancelled. Are they going to split semantic hairs and say that is a “march” or a “rally” and not a protest? Methinks someone has not thought this one through completely.
I like the idea of local protests nationwide — i
…
I like the idea of local protests nationwide — in addition to/in lieu of a Washington, DC gathering. We need a focus of organization near our homes, as well as at a national level.
Do these local protests right in front of the me
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Do these local protests right in front of the media’s locations, to make it that much easier for them to cover the protests. Thousands of people protesting outside the NYT’s office, the WaPo’s office, and WABC’s (etc.) should get at least a little bit of coverage, right?
If a million people show up at the inauguration wearing anti- Trump t-shirts and carrying anti- Trumps signs, so what?
They are there to see the inauguration of an American President just as people have done for a couple of hundred years now. They are part of the
audience for the inauguration. As American citizens, they have a right to witness it, to be there no matter what there opinions.
Just wear a MAGA hat and keep your coat closed. When Trump comes in, off go the hats, and open the coats and start YELLING. Drown the whole inaugural out!
Yes. Something in the nature of Sitting Shiva se
…
Yes. Something in the nature ofSitting Shiva
seems appropriate to me. Remember our heroes from the past, what it is we value about them (what it is that gives us discomfort, too). Remember that they were real people, just as we are real people. They were flawed, just as we are flawed. And yet, their achievements have kept the liberty torch lit down to our time. We are now its guardians and keepers. Maybe end with
I thought January 20 would be an ideal day to th
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I thought January 20 would be an ideal day to throw nationwide Thanks Obama retirement parties. No protest against Trump to "quell" but mass ignoring the Pussygrabber-in-chief could make his head explode
I spoke with a person connected with this event and 3rd. & Constitution was mentioned. There is also “We Shall Not be Moved” March by the NAN on the 14th. I guess the USSS realizes that this shitgibbon is not wanted by most voters. And further, the shitgibbon will use protests to bring on “Patriot Act, part 2”.
My good wife heard of this and had the following …
My good wife heard of this and had the following suggestion. Continue with the Million Woman March, but organize it into state delegations. Each state marches within Trump’s goddamn free speech zone (my contribution, my good wife never says goddamn), down the avenue named for their state. Massachusetts Avenue, Kentucky Avenue, Florida Avenue… Shut down the entire city, and dare the media not to cover it.
I’m a retired (thank you for the budget cuts, To
…
I’m a retired (thank you for the budget cuts, Tom Corbett) female teacher from PA who is also a kidney transplant recipient. I think I’m in several vulnerable demographics, but I can bring extra anti-rejection meds with me for an extended stay in DC!
More information would be helpful. For one thing …
More information would be helpful. For one thing, NPS indicates several other organizations besides the inaugural committee also have prior dibs on the space. Is this an organized effort to block the Women’s March or other protests, or is it a case that the Women’s March did not apply in a timely fashion?
NPS registered seven permit applications from five organizations for the same sites at the same time…..Mike Litterst, a public affairs officer at the National Park Service, characterizes the other permit applications for that space and time as “four other First Amendment activities.”
My understanding is that this is fairly routine and that the NPS had their plans in place (of course) well before any November plans were made to protest. True? I just think we should be careful about our facts … not be as sloppy as the Rethugs in this regard. It doesn’t seem like this is any draconian measure, just usual practice. I welcome facts pointing me in another direction.
One of the other DK poster’s diary had link to i
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One of the other DK poster’s diary had link to info about this. This was NOT the doing of the NPS. This was the direct result of a request filed by the non-government, Inaugural Committee to the NPS and represents an unprecedented length of time for closing these public lands to protest.
Sometimes his ability to be the only adult in th
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Sometimes his ability to be the only adult in the room gets real annoying. I will admit that sometimes I have really wanted him to go all “Incredible Hulk” and just SMASH!
I’ve read this also. It was reported that NPS ma
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I’ve read this also. It was reported that NPS made this request a year ago, before Trump could have had any influence. However it appears that it will ultimately be the Trump team’s choice how much of that reserved land they take- or give to other organizations. But it appears that right now, the idea to attribute this action to Trump may be jumping the gun. If anyone has evidence indicating otherwise, please share!
Thanks for covering this, I hadn’t heard about i
…
Thanks for covering this, I hadn’t heard about it, and please don’t delete.
The solution, clearly is the same one employed against DAPL. We will not be silenced, and it’s our GD’d mall, it belongs to us, and we’ll speak our minds no matter what the apparatchiks say. I would urge any and all who can to protest in DC before and during the inauguration, or should I say the “enabling” of Trump.
Activist organization A.N.S.W.E.R protests at al
…
Activist organization A.N.S.W.E.R protests at all inaugurations, they reported this action was unique and they didn't have this problem in 2008. At Bush’s 04 inauguration, protesters were actually allowed along the parade inauguration route- full visibility of Bush! So this is certainly unique.
Hello, new user at Daily Kos! Our site guideline
…
Hello, new user at Daily Kos! Our site guidelines and unique community moderation system are explained in the Rules of the Road.
If you have other questions about how to participate you can learn more at the the
Knowledge Base
and the Site Resource Diaries. Diaries tagged
Open Thread
are also great places to ask any questions.
Thank you Paradise for the warm welcome! After r
…
Thank you Paradise for the warm welcome! After reading the Rules of the Road, I’m very dismayed by the choice to ban all political speech unfavorable to Democrats. While I agree with your goals, these methods have no place in any liberal organization, in my opinion. I’d love to become much more active in the site, but I cannot in good conscience be complicit in the banning of any speech. Best wishes.
It’s obvious that criticism is Donald Trump’s kr
…
It’s obvious that criticism is Donald Trump’s kryptonite. We just have to figure out a protest that will push him over the edge into spontaneous combustion.
Yeah, and let Trump’s inauguration committee pay
…
Yeah, and let Trump’s inauguration committee pay for the clean up after the demonstrations — let’s not strap NY and Florida taxpayers with any more bills protecting Don the con’s properties.
Here’s a thought … make your own anti trump t-sh …
Here’s a thought … make your own anti trump t-shirt. Wear it to the inaug. and somewhere along remove the outer shirt and expose the dastardly message. Thousands of individual freedoms of speech blasting out ruining his little crowning!
I was planning on marching in the Women’s March (even though I am of the male persuasion). I would expect they would hold it anyway, somewhere close. Does anybody have any solid information on this?
Exactly — eventually everything will be defunded
…
Exactly — eventually everything will be defunded by the right wingers except for the Department of Defense and the Pentagon. Gotta keep those profits, oops, I mean wars going for the MIC, in the name of patriotism and defending our country.
i have so much work to do today i may not be abl
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i have so much work to do today i may not be able to watch this diary closely and there are at least two others diaries up about it but I hope people will discuss my alternative proposal here.
There are major business districts all around the White House. if they would rather see a hundred small protests on the side streets then fine.
raise a glass to freedom. something they can never take away, no matter what they tell you!
How about hats that say something like the "pres
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How about hats that say something like the "presidency is too big for tiny hands" or "love trumps hate", "liberals for freedom & democracy"? How about all of us get a hat and tweet group photos to him with Brims low?
Or wearing a sweatshirt with the First Amendment
…
Or wearing a sweatshirt with the First Amendment printed on it with the last clause about peaceable assembly and petitioning the Government highlighted in bright yellow.
Love your proposal! That you grew up in DC is a real plus in telling us how to march without a Mall, etc. permit and really highlights how we could lose our Constitutional rights in the next 4 years.
Having gone to law school in DC and also spendin
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Having gone to law school in DC and also spending many trips marching during permitted and non-permitted gatherings in dc prior to George Jr taking office I will second the statement that it in no way takes that long to put up the traditional barricades needed for inauguration or other events. If it did, DC would be shut down ALL THE FREAKIN TIME. This makes me think that there needs to be hidden actions, true civil disobedience on a country wide scale that NO ONE can ignore. They can ignore 2 million people voting in the popular vote but they cannot ignore the aftermath. This is only the beginning.
Just curious—is all access to the mall and monum
…
Just curious—is all access to the mall and monuments going to be prohibited for that period of time? Or will people be able to come watch the inauguration or visit the museums? Is the prohibition strictly against protests.
i recommend all non-trollish comments in my diar
…
i recommend all non-trollish comments in my diaries .
i do not know the answer to your question or sure, but I assume the mall and monuments are open. people will be encouraged to come watch the inauguration and visit the museums. the prohibition applies only to protests.
Okaaay, well if anyone is thinking about how the
…
Okaaay, well if anyone is thinking about how they might create an obstacle to appearances of normalcy, they might want to know the answer to this question. There may be a new path to the waterfall.
Carrying signs can’t be stopped either, as long as the signs aren’t so large that they block sidewalks and so on, or have sticks that can be considered possible weapons. For example signs that are printed on regular 8-½ x 11 office paper, taped to corrugated cardboard and held by hand. Yes you can get a pretty decent message into that format.
And by all means do patronize local businesses while carrying these signs, but don’t chant inside their premises because that would just piss off others. So, stop in for a snack, lunch, a soft drink or juice or water, etc. Let them see that they’re getting biz from protesters.
“It doesn't matter if one man fights or ten thousand; if the one man sees he has no option but to fight, then he will fight, whether he has others on his side or not.” ― Hans Fallada, Every Man Dies Alone
Basic constitutional law. Government authorities
…
Basic constitutional law. Government authorities must provide reasonable accommodation for persons to exercise their first amendment rights. The government may restrict such gatherings in a neutral non-discriminatory manner by time, place or manner — no one has a right to march down the Washington Beltway during weekday rush hour — but may not arbitrarily deny parade permits. See Hague v. CIO (1939) declaring unconstitutional a Jersey City ordinance that barred political meetings and an infinite number of decisions ever since.
I’m happy to entertain
your
theory should you choose to advance one.
I could also more charitably speculate that Obama is just tired and overwhelmed. But I find it enormously disturbing that this is happening under his watch and reserve the right to be snippy about it.
I predict BHO will do a bunch of stuff on his wa
…
I predict BHO will do a bunch of stuff on his way out the the door that we can’t predict right now
I don’t exactly predict it, but I certainly hope for it. Even the most futile, easily undone gestures would be welcome just to force the incoming regime to waste time on them.
You must be a rich, straight, non-disabled white
…
You must be a rich, straight, non-disabled white man if you're not worried about oppression under a Trump administration. I personally am not going to "enjoy" it when I can't get reasonable health insurance because of a pre-existing condition.
The poster i was replying to had managed to feel
…
The poster i was replying to had managed to feel oppressed under the Obama administration.
I let this go the first time, but since you’ve elected to repeat it I have to call bullshit. I complained/whined at MOST about apathy-inspired neglect, not active oppression.
I’m not even sure Obama isn’t
entitled
to tune out at this point, even if it stings. I can’t imagine that I wouldn’t be tempted to yawn while half-heartedly raising a middle finger or two after what just happened.
You said he “doesn’t give a shit” and you also i …
You said he “doesn’t give a shit” and you also implied it was because he was rich. I call bullshit on you’re calling bullshit…..
You have quoted me accurately yet somehow concluded that my words indicated a claim of active oppression. Is it your belief that apathy and oppression are the same thing or is it your belief that I view everyone with more money than I as an oppressor?
Yep. Unlike the current Pres-elect that literall
…
Yep. Unlike the current Pres-elect that literally does not think for 1 second before coming out with an idiotic response. Obama is probably mulling this over, deciding on the best course of action. This is an affront to the First Amendment if there ever was one. Surely the NPS making all these areas off limits for protests until March is unconstitutional?
The government may restrict such gatherings in a neutral non-discriminatory manner by time, place or manner
and how it is interpreted. Recent precedent at various “national security events” have featured “free speech zones” far removed from the site of the event being protested. In my opinion this violates the spirit of the first amendment, but apparently the courts disagree.
in solidarity, people could also protest these 8
…
in solidarity, people could also protest these 88 universities as a direct message to the trump propaganda operation.
a few hundred blowhards are going to shout over any protests that aren’t aimed at them and will attack the protestors and interpret the intent to tens of millions out there in the red states.
protesting to get these universities to pull their sports broadcasting from 257 limbaugh stations will scare all their advertisers away except for the few that love trump. it will break the trump/gop messaging advantage.
if some unis actually start the process others will be shamed into following. rw radio monopoly couldn’t survive.
all these 88 unis are good places to protest — those stations are the orange samson’s hair
ALABAMA 8 Auburn 3, Alabama 2, Southern Alabama 2, Troy 1 ARIZONA 2 Arizona St. 1, Arizona 1 ARKANSAS 3 Arkansas 3 CALIFORNIA 5 San Jose State 2, USC 2, Fresno St. 1
COLORADO 4 Air Force 2, Colorado 1, Colorado State 1
CONNECTICUT 1 Connecticut 1
FLORIDA 20 Florida 10, Florida St. 4 Miami 2, South Florida 2, Central Florida 2
GEORGIA 14 Georgia 7, Georgia Tech 5, Georgia Southern 2
IDAHO 7 Boise St. 4, Idaho 3
ILLINOIS 7 Illinois 7
INDIANA 11 Notre Dame 6, Purdue 4, Indiana 1
IOWA 5 Iowa 4, Iowa St. 1
KANSAS 4 Kansas St. 2, Kansas 1, Wichita St. 1
KENTUCKY 3 Louisville 2, Kentucky 1
LOUSIANA 3 LSU 2, La.-Monroe 1
MARYLAND 2 Maryland 2
MASSACHUSETTS 1 Boston College 1
MICHIGAN 19 Michigan St. 11, Michigan 7, Western Michigan 1
MINNESOTA 4 Minnesota 4
MISSISSIPPI 6 Mississippi St. 3, Mississippi 2, Southern Miss 1
MISSOURI 6 Missouri 6
NEBRASKA 6 Nebraska 6
NEVADA 1 Nevada 1
NEW JERSEY 2 Rutgers 1, Seton Hall 1
NEW MEXICO 3 New Mexico 2, New Mexico St. 1
NEW YORK 7 Syracuse 6, Army 1
NORTH CAROLINA 16 North Carolina 8, North Carolina State 3, Duke 3, East Carolina 2
OHIO 10 Ohio St. 6, Toledo 1, Dayton 1, Bowling Green 1, Xavier 1
OKLAHOMA 5 Oklahoma St. 3, Oklahoma 1, Oral Roberts 1
OREGON 12 Oregon St. 7, Oregon 5
PENNSYLVANIA 14 Penn St. 11, Pittsburgh 2, Temple 1
SOUTH CAROLINA 4 South Carolina 2, Clemson 2
TENNESSEE 7 Tennessee 4, Memphis 3
TEXAS 16 Texas A&M 9, Texas Tech 4, Texas 1, Texas Christian 1, Baylor 1
UTAH 1 Utah St. 1
VIRGINIA 6 Virginia Tech 5, Virginia 1 WASHINGTON 6 Washington 5, Washington St. 1 WEST VIRGINIA 2 West Virginia 1, Marshall 1 WISCONSIN 5 Wisconsin 5
Well I am confused. It seems that you are advoca
…
Well I am confused. It seems that you are advocating clamping down on Free Speech while simultaneously whining about others clamping down on your right to Free Speech.
i won’t speak for certainot. but there is a difference between encouraging people to boycott purveyors of hate speech and wanting the right to free speech for myself.
first of all, when I speak, I am not encouraging hate speech.
second, those stations can continue if they want to, but I will boycott the stations themselves and anyone who advertises on them.
paraphrasing Brandeis and the ACLU, the solution to hate speech is more speech. namely, mine saying that hateradio is hateradio and no reputable person or organization or product should be associated with it.
so this is your first post here and you want to be an idiot?
protesting a few ignorant think tank coordinated jerks on public airwaves hiding behind call screeners, who are trying to end net neutrality and destroy the planet and my family with flat earth global warming denial is somehow an attack on free speech?
are you really looking forward to the great orange asshole covering the country?
A troll...I think not. I actually voted for your
…
A troll...I think not. I actually voted for your beloved Hillary although not with great enthusiasm. However I find it more concerning that your solution is to shut down whatever voices you do not care to hear.
You might be better off finding a Safe Space and contemplating your navel!
I wasn’t thinking about in the street, but down the avenue. Lots of space. The pink cancer people use that a avenue as part of their route. Seems reasonable to go along and pick up coffee, stop in to see the Pandas and enjoy DuPont circle, etc. along the way.
One thing to consider is that protests have fail
…
One thing to consider is that protests have failed to stop the worst excesses of government in recent times. Not that I oppose protests mind you, I think it’s crucial that we push back, physically, and protest like Hell, but we may need more.
We failed to stop the Iraq invasion, despite hard-core participation, yet we succeeded in stopping the Syrian intervention. I think we’ve got to think of new ways to oppose them, and use those methods to judiciously to advance our agenda, and prevent theirs.
Without getting too specific, I’d like to see strategies that impede the process of normal functioning, yet always tied to crucial and immediate (easy) goals. If a road is blocked for “justice” for instance, that’s counter-productive, yet if it's blocked to free Leonard Peltier, it works.
It’s going to be an interesting four years, I hope we survive it.
Yes, they don’t stop it, necessarily, but they a
…
Yes, they don’t stop it, necessarily, but they are one of the few communication channels that we still have. They are ignored at the peril of the oligarchs, because steps beyond are always ugly.
like ows, wherever they take place politicians d
…
like ows, wherever they take place politicians don’t have to pay attention.
we have to start protesting at the root of republican power.
on a local or national level if protests make news the right just uses a few rw blowhards on loud radio stations to characterize the protestors and define their aims to tens of thousands on local level and ten of millions on the national level.
a protest at a capital is basically worthless unless there are hundreds of thousands
any violence or trash that gets left behind is talked about for weeks on those stations
those stations are the orange samson’s hair. they are the power centers of the gop and they will be until they stop being invisible to those they attack.
how many people protesting in NY OWS went through union station and didn’t notice right in that building was one of the oldest and powerful rw radio stations in the state, a station stocked with assholes calling the protestors all sorts of shit and egging on the cops and govt to clear them out and stop blocking traffic etc?
I would love to go, but hotel prices are far too
…
I would love to go, but hotel prices are far too high, and my remaining friends in the area live too far away. Sleeping in the car just isn’t an option at this time of year, alas.
I can understand limiting protests on the Mall a
…
I can understand limiting protests on the Mall and its vicinity for a week or so after the Inauguration, but making the restrictions last for more than a month seems ridiculous. As best I can recall, the temporary fencing and bleachers have generally been pretty much gone within a week or two.
I hope the ACLU is in court right now filing a l
…
I hope the ACLU is in court right now filing a lawsuit against that one. It seems like the GOP doesn’t want protests against the newly elected criminal-in-chief. Don the con might get his feelings hurt. TOO DAMN BAD!! Note to ACLU: if these “mass picketing” fines do hold up in court, PLEASE lets start using these fines against anti-abortion protesters, etc.
We have the First Amendment right to do this — s
…
We have the First Amendment right to do this — so they may try to ban them, and if they do, we’ll challenge them in court.
This is such a blatant violation of our Constitutional rights that we’d probably have at least 5 members of the court, even if Trump nominates someone awful — and that’s not a done deal, and Trump can’t even nominate someone until he’s in office.
Meanwhile, Obama’s been able to do a lot with the DC Circuit Court who would have jurisdiction.
I think I get it now… He is a thief.. it is his coronation and the one who got the less votes… to rule us with an iron fist wants us to sit down and shut up because he said so…...riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight. If people don’t stand up now and go ahead with their plans.. they may as well roll over. This will not be covered ANYWHERE but at the inauguration and afterwards. ON THE MALL, In the streets… screwing up his Heil trump party.
We should go to DC anyway, writing protest sloga
…
We should go to DC anyway, writing protest slogans on our coats and wearing large button on our outerwear (since they may confiscate signs) and just walk up and down the streets on the sidewalks in the nearby downtown business districts. Those who care to may break into song, or begin talking loudly with one another in a rhythmic repetitive fashion, although those actions may lead to arrest for disturbing the peace, but they cannot bar people from walking on every downtown and uptown sidewalk. Those streets need to be open and accessible because the stores and restaurants and hotels count on doing big business from inauguration visitors. And they cannot know for sure that we are not there to shop or eat!
Sharpie write “I WANT MY LAWER/PHONE CALL NOW!” and the name & numbers of your lawyer and ACLU on your body. I’d suggest on both arms and legs...presumably where the cuffs & restraints may be applied.
If you have time, sharpie write the 1st Amendment across your face, and 4th Amendment...well, somewhere lower.
Get your medical alert bracelets and tags updated and make sure the police are aware of them as they approach. Getting that on video might be good too. Make sure you know how to send video directly onto a cloud based resource (encrypted would be nice)...although I’m expecting they’ll be working to block & monitor cell data.
Yes, it’s a good idea to have your phone ready t
…
Yes, it’s a good idea to have your phone ready to video too and upload it in case the police confiscate your phone. With so much police abuse, it’s good to have ready.
Write it on your body in sharpie as well, becaus
…
Write it on your body in sharpie as well, because they probably will be arresting, spraying everyone as they did during king george’s inauguration and we all know boobs get more attention from this media than actual NEWS.
That Canvas Apron idea above could make for wond
…
That Canvas Apron idea above could make for wonderful template material.
Cut out the letters of your protest statement in your apron. Worn over black or orange garment, the letters would stand out. Worn over canvas colored garment, nearly invisible.
Used to spray paint stencils just adds more color to the apron...although every might want to pick just one color to improve one’s plausible deniability.
I’m tempted to suggest orange wigs for all participants, orange face paint, and big orange glasses, maybe with IR emitters on them, to scramble facial recognition systems.
To confuse things, wear a big ‘T Party’ sign on the back. Maybe an asterisk leading to small print saying ‘Madhatten Madhatter’ at the bottom.
I’d also like to see all those wonderful promises made to workers, vets, retirees, etc. held up high on signs and banners. Maybe spelled out in human bodies on the ground for the various drone cameras to pick up.
I kind of like the idea of a large-scale human body LED scroll, where letters of the statement are ‘scrolled’ across an area using moving human bodies, something that likely gets media attention. This might require a bit of pre-event parade drill practice.
Wearing lighted helmets at night so this works in the dark as well as day. This should all be on a bigger scale than those wonderful LED signs that were so brilliantly protesting Walker in Wisconsin on freeway overpasses. And we’ll need those laser projectors too! All would be great to do in front of every Trump building, every state capital, Congress’s House of Representatives staff buildings, etc. If hundreds of thousands are protesting, setting up dozens of protest destinations should be easy.
FYI, I’d like to see at least one or two F* U PUTIN signs out there.
Flashback to the brutal Cheney/Bush Junta years when they created “Free Speech Zones” on empty lots surrounded by chain link fencing, all far from the event, whether it be the RNC conventions in NYCity and St.Louis, or the Free Trade protests in Miami, among others.
Actually it went much further than that, with the NYCPD and FBI infiltrating groups, locking up leadership prior to events, turning back buses loaded with protesters, corralling large groups of protesters peacefully encamped in a park with a permit while giving talks, trapped on one side by chain link fencing and surrounded by rows of riot police banging their batons on their plexiglass shields, arresting them without cause and holding them overnight, confiscating and destroying their cameras and cell phones.
At that time, I believe it was in NYCity,
organizers started to adopt “random” “flash” protests where protesters were organized into cells to thwart police and their spies. Each cell would either set up a time and place in advance or organize a meetup on the fly via cell phone. At the designated time people would converge on the site and stage a demonstration. As police got wind of it they would disperse. In theory one person could belong to multiple cells and simply go from one to the other, as this happened all across the area of interest.
I think we’re going to need something like this.
…
I think we’re going to need something like this. This is a good use of the techology at our disposal, that wasn’t available during the GWB Administration. The ultra-paranoid can get a prepaid cell phone just for this.
Hmm, on second thought I believe the flash prote
…
Hmm, on second thought I believe the flash protests came about during Occupy Wall Street when the NYCPD was trying to limit protests to a central location. I am bad on time lines. In 2000 when someone told me that Mt. St. Helens erupted 20 years earlier I was floored. I could have sworn it had happened 5 years prior. Oh well, Einstein says that past present and future all exist simultaneously, so apparently I am simply in touch with the universe.
Another observation on tactics. Anything involvi
…
Another observation on tactics. Anything involving a large planned event we have to assume that either the FBI or DC police will have undercover officers attending meetings. We also must assume that all cell phone calls originating from the organizers will be monitored, along with any emails and online activity. This is what has happened in the past.
You may think “well so what, we are doing nothing wrong”. But if they decide that they are not comfortable with your plans they may find ways to undermine them. I don’t know what that means in this case but that should be the operating assumption right from the start based upon all previous protests going back to Nixon at the very least.
CafePress and Zazzle both let you print T-shirts …
CafePress and Zazzle both let you print T-shirts (front AND back) with custom text or artwork — jpg, png — you submit, as well as designs you can pick from their sites. (Mind the effect of tinted shirts on colored designs!)
Get an ultralarge size, XXXL or bigger, to fit
over
your coat….
So what to make of this, from the spokeswoman fo
…
So what to make of this, from the spokeswoman for the women’s march:
“The Lincoln Memorial is not possible,” said Cassady Fendlay, spokeswoman for the women’s march on Washington. She said march organizers were not associated with the Answer Coalition, and have
“had no issues with the permitting process
at all”.
“We are in conversation with the police.
We have secured another location,”
said Fendlay, declining to name where the march would now take place but saying it would be nearby.
Seems odd to me that she declined to identify the place, other than to say “nearby.”
One location? It should be happening all over DC
…
One location? It should be happening all over DC including the Mall. What would MLK have done? What would the VN protestors done? What did the Tea party do?
There was always meant to be one central locatio
…
There was always meant to be one central location to meet up and rally, and then march in the streets. I think that’s what she means, not standing still in one place the whole time.
Excellent question. Look at what he did. He would start in one city and march to another. This gave many advantages. Wider press coverage. More interest — a journey has symbolic importance. It projects action vice passivity — you are literally on a journey that has a beginning, a time of being in transition and an end point. It readily translates into a story. Recall that the march to Montgomery crossed a bridge where they were attacked. That bridge and the hostile reception on the other side all had profound symbolism.
The Tea Party is irrelevant. It was an astroturf movement, often involving a handful of people who were heavily covered by Fox News, as if they were this huge movement. In fact they were organized and bused around by a right wing group run by Dick Armey and funded by the Koch brothers. So unless we have our own national TV station to blow up our protest into something monumental we can ignore the Tea Party.
This is the first test of our capacity to normal
…
This is the first test of our capacity to normalize fascism. 100,000 people show up on the Mall what are they gonna do? Shoot them all down. Women? We are not there yet, but giving in to bullshit like this is what gets us there. If folks get arrested we need to set up bail/support funds. This is pure intimidation and they are going to see if we blink. DC Police has 3,900 cops, Capitol Police has 2,200. Unless they are bringing in the Army I don’t know how they handle 100,000 people showing up and doing whatever the fuck they want. Even if they arrest 5,000 there are still 95,000 people protesting.
We should not be naive about what they are capab
…
We should not be naive about what they are capable of. If the police or FBI want to create confusion they can put a few troublemakers in the mix and create an opening for the riot police or National Guard to come in. During the Bush years they would arrest leaders prior to the protest to create confusion. They set up road blocks to turn back buses. They had riot police strip off groups of protesters and hold them for several hours.
When you think about all of the logistics involved in a large demonstration there are a lot of things that have to go smoothly, which means there are just as many ways to disrupt the event.
A big part of the job of being President is that
…
A big part of the job of being President is that people say all kinds of things about you, make up phony stuff, send mean tweets to you,impersonate you on SNL and sometimes throw an egg at your inaugural limo.
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Trump should suck it up, but he can’t. This is our kryptonite and he getting the National Parks Service to put it in a box for him. Its our
right
to throw a fucken egg and keep doing so until he curls up in a ball and they take his twitter away.
Why not go ahead and shop and eat while there? M
…
Why not go ahead and shop and eat while there? More people to read your clothes and buttons. Silent protest just going about your daily business. Leave merchants happy that all the protestors came. Or is being a nuisance somehow better?
I read it as implied, and it might be effective to threaten to be annoying and disrupt business in order to pressure them to open the Mall. I’m wondering which would be better. It might be more effective to mingle with everyone in town and gain support. Really, I don’t know.
I am kind of hoping that folks demonstrate in areas where we’re told not to, then after arrested, sue their rumps off for trampling on first amendment rights. OTOH, cops can so overreact to peaceful protest that it’s not worth someone getting disabled or killed over. Can a lawsuit be filed to allow free speech prior to restraint actually being imposed, since they have signaled their intentions? IANAL.
just that many people on the sidewalks will be d
…
just that many people on the sidewalks will be disruptive.
I don’t recall saying anything about being annoying. maybe you can tell me where you get that from.
it will be too late on 1/20 to pressure them to open the Mall. but it may discourage them from denying future permits to protest on the Mall. This demonstration is likely to be the first of many.
I am kind of hoping that folks demonstrate in areas where we’re told not to, then after arrested, sue their rumps off for trampling on first amendment rights.
I keep seeing people suggest this but I do not understand it. Sue whom? The police department?
I actually have now read on another thread that they are suing in advance to obtain the right to demonstrate. They sue the federal government for interfering with free speech rights.
Here it is: They're suing the Secret Service (for denial of the inauguration route) and Department of the Interior (because it was the NPS that denied permits at the Mall and memorials at the request of the PIC):
assets.documentcloud.org/…
If the permits were denied and you protested anyway and were arrested, again IANAL, but I imagine you would sue the police in addition to the above folks who denied you the permit. Because if permits are illegal restraints of free speech, then enforcement of them is illegal. The police should not be enforcing illegal restraints. But the point would be to obtain agreements from all sides that future free speech would not be interfered with. Any monetary award would come from the deep pockets. Ideally, trace the orders all the way back to the thin-skinned Trump and make him pay out of his own pocket.
but i did not say anything about intentionally d
…
but i did not say anything about intentionally disrupting businesses—the disruption would be only a side effect of people assembling on the public sidewalks instead of at the Mall. not going into businesses and singing/chanting there, but milling about on the public sidewalks instead of being allowed to go to any of the big open spaces downtown
since i wrote this people are reporting that a permit has been allowed for 3rd and Constitution, and I hope that is what has happened. if I was being paranoid about them trying to keep protesters away from all the large public spaces then I will be happy to be wrong.
Oh, okay. It would depend on how it goes. If peo
…
Oh, okay. It would depend on how it goes. If people are just walking back and forth, some of whom may decide to buy/eat, then I’d think businesses would be happy about that. If people mill about in huge clusters that block one specific location right in front of a business’ doors so no one can go in, then I’d think they would be unhappy about that. But IIRC, DC has lots of people on the sidewalks most of the time, between workers and protestors and tourists for one thing or another, so crowded sidewalks won’t bother patrons as long as it’s not a blocking cluster.
I just looked that up on Google Maps, 3rd and Constitution is at one corner of the Mall, near the Capitol and not too far from the Newseum and National Gallery of Art. So not too bad but not ideal. Opposite end from the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument kind of in the middle with the WH over to one side. If you want to be seen from the WH, the W Monument is the place to be. You’re pretty close to Congress, though.
I don’t think you’re paranoid, there were several diaries on this same subject. Maybe all the immediate social media outrage made them decide to provide a space.
Yes, I know where 3rd and Constitution is. Techn
…
Yes, I know where 3rd and Constitution is. Technically it is not part of the Mall. I grew up in DC and know the whole downtown area well.
There are always a LOT more people on the street on Inauguration Day and most downtown businesses see it as a boon. But the sidewalks in the downtown business district east of the White House are not very wide. Even a group of 12 or 15 could effectively block a sidewalk just by standing around trying to decide where to go to eat.
No, the location isn’t ideal, but other organiza
…
No, the location isn’t ideal, but other organizations requested permits first for the areas the march organizers wanted to use. First come, first served.
Actually, during large marches, many places will
…
Actually, during large marches, many places will NOT let protestors in to buy things, use the restroom, etc. Perhaps you haven’t been there but I wish I was not telling the truth. It’s a conservative town. Since when is voicing one’s opposition to its government “being a nuisance”. It’s a founding principle of this nation.
I went to DC for a protest, but it was decades a
…
I went to DC for a protest, but it was decades ago. I don’t remember it very clearly, but probably didn’t have money to test your theory.
I went to Louisville for a DAPL protest, but we mostly stayed outside the government building and the Army COE building. I used the facilities there, didn’t stay long enough to want to buy anything, so still didn’t test your theory.
It wouldn’t be protesting that’s a nuisance — at least you’re right, it shouldn’t be. It would be more if you’re not going to buy anything and block sidewalks, store doors, and/or streets, interfering with business, chasing customers away, as they see it.
I posted on the March’s national FB page that th
…
I posted on the March’s national FB page that the Inauguration Committee has a choice: release permits for a massive march or deny them for a massive civil disobedience demonstration. If they're smart, they'll choose the former.
Presumably the Park Service is still under Democ
…
Presumably the Park Service is still under Democratic control until January 20, not sure why this administration is bending over backwards to protect Trump.
Protesters, keep it peaceful. Don’t play into th
…
Protesters, keep it peaceful. Don’t play into their hands. Violence will only fuel support for the third-degree felony law, and might even prompt the POTUS-elect to declare martial law once in office, keeping him there indefinitely.
Martial law is unenforceable unless we roll over
…
Martial law is unenforceable unless we roll over and comply. I suspect a declaration would result in even
more
people spilling on to the streets.
If Drumpf were to disregard
posse commitatus, there aren’t enough police, National Guardsmen, Army, and Marines to make martial law stick in a country this size. The United States military couldn’t pacify Iraq, a country the size of California, so it would be even less successful here. Even bringing home every soldier deployed abroad (which would take time and leave hotspots vulnerable) wouldn’t give Drumpf sufficient force to pull it off. While some soldiers would certainly follow orders without question, enough would think twice about firing on their fellow citizens to cause localized breakdowns in military discipline.
You are assuming that such a declaration of mart
…
You are assuming that such a declaration of martial law would be limited to being enforced by infantry on the ground, that would not likely be the case. Do you have any idea what just a single BUFF carrying conventional bombs could do to a neighborhood? Or carrying thermobaric bombs could do to a good chunk of a city? Or hell, what even a single M270 MLRS truck can do?
I’m making no such assumption. Let me be more sp
…
I’m making no such assumption. Let me be more specific. The United States military could not pacify Iraq despite hundreds of thousands of boots on the ground, countless sorties from bombers launched from land bases and aircraft carriers, and God knows how many cruise missiles lobbed from destroyers, cruisers, and submarines. Remember “shock and awe?”
My point stands. Some will follow orders without question, others will think twice about firing on their fellow citizens.
even if all of us keep it peaceful, there is no way to stop Rcon provocateurs from inciting violence or committing it themselves so they can blame it on us.
Which he is very likely to do anyways, but we su
…
Which he is very likely to do anyways, but we sure don’t need to do anything to fuel that fire. But I agree completely, any marches/protests/call them what you will *must* be entirely peaceful.
Here’s the sad truth: It doesn’t really matter. Marches and demonstrations are passe now, barely covered on TV. This may sound ghoulish, but maybe having a demonstration ban would be a good thing, because violating it and getting arrested is probably the only way to get media attention.
Didn’t make a difference during Georgie porgie's
…
Didn’t make a difference during Georgie porgie's inauguration. They underestimated numbers and hardly covered it at all. The media has gone even more downhill since then.
he will either tweet about he thwarted us, or he will tweet about how disrespectful we were, but one way or another he will not be able to stop himself from tweeting
My personal idea at the moment is to go with a r
…
My personal idea at the moment is to go with a republican friend who has a ticket to a gala in a twinkly black gown and drop it as trump comes in with the words: Dump Trump on my nekkid body. So far, two repubs with tickets are positive for it...even one who voted for him. My point: There are many ways to protest. Boobs and Blood get media attention...I don’t support spilling blood but I do support getting media coverage and agree that the media we have now is NOT about covering news.
Come January 20 2017 and the inauguration of Tru
…
Come January 20 2017 and the inauguration of Trump will be the start of the second Russian revolution. Putin will rejoice as the puppet master of Trump and his proletariat of white working class males. I think by July 2017, when it’s 100 years since Lenin’s armed revolutionaries came out in huge numbers to the streets of Petrograd, it will all be done. The new USSA will be declared a new territory of the new USSR. Steve Bannon, the Lenninist, will be so proud.
And I have a question...Who gave a permit or per
…
And I have a question...Who gave a permit or permission for John Lewis to be spat upon?
While the likes of some congresscritters cheered from the windows? These are questions I would be asking because it is not just tea partiers who can protest.
What kind of malarkey is this? Putin is a right-
…
What kind of malarkey is this? Putin is a right-wing nationalist; he’s no disciple of Lenin, notwithstanding his history with the KGB. Putin is hand in glove with the most reactionary forces in Russia, the Orthodox Church first and foremost.
If you think Steve Bannon is a Leninist, you need to read more Lenin.
Bannon is a Leninist in the sense that he feels the state needs to be destroyed then rebuilt. I think from what I have read of Bannon’s quotes on Lenin is that he took something from his destruction of the state as the ultimate revolution, blah, blah. I don’t know what writings he was pulling his mishmash ideology from but reminded me of something in
The State and Revolution
minus the anarchist vs Marxist dialogue and the actual ideals and fully formed thoughts.
100,000 heading straight to the Lincoln Memorial …
100,000 heading straight to the Lincoln Memorial can’t be stopped without some sort of Tiananmen-Square-level intervention. In some ways, this is better. Marches are easily ignored by the MSM. Mass Civil Disobedience, not so much. May as well get this show going from Day One….
Yep, and now that have stuff that is far more de
…
Yep, and now that have stuff that is far more deadly. Just a single salvo from a M270 MLRS truck would probably be enough. Remember, each truck can fire 12 rockets at a time and each rocket carries 644 submunitions. They are called “grid square erasers” for a reason.
There is enough tear gas and battons in DC to st
…
There is enough tear gas and battons in DC to stop that hon. Trust me, six police agencies and sharp shooters on roofs, some with rubber bullets (they hurt — trust me) and some with real ones put a stop to that movement real quick.
Actually, the best target of the actions isn’t T
…
Actually, the best target of the actions isn’t Trump but the MSM. Make their life hell. It worked well for conservatives. The MSM doesn’t deign to drive on highways with the peons, they’ll just go in by helicopter. But if you make them the news story...and Trump doesn’t get any of the coverage he craves.
So... Massive coordinated hat signs? Like maybe from helicopter level you would be able to see that the tops of everyone's hats spell DumpTrump or some such when everyone stands together. Make it impossible to miss in the flyover.
And having 10,000 demonstrators peaceably but lo
…
And having 10,000 demonstrators peaceably but loudly surround the MSM support vehicles. “Loudly” means things like impolite and personally insulting remarks aimed at the network’s talking heads. They may be able to keep it off the air but it takes its toll, and the talking heads are our enemies.
In CA we’ve had too many cases where the protest
…
In CA we’ve had too many cases where the protestors take over the freeways during rush hour. I don’t approve of that. But if you can’t get a permit to protest in DC, I don’t see what else can be done.
OK, well guess what — FUCK YOU! People are going
…
OK, well guess what — FUCK YOU! People are going to go to DC and make their free-speech opinions known. Want to arrest them all? Just try it, motherfuckers. I “been there, done that” in the 60’s. People are WAY more radical and brave now. Go to it! As
He Who Shall Not Be Named
said to the non-white population, “What do you have to lose?”
Me, I’ll be there as an individual — is that a demonstration, or just a citizen expressing free speech? — and I intend to stand and turn my back on the Inthuguration. They can make of it what they want, but as far as I’m concerned that’s no “demonstration,” that’s just ME. Fuck ya Right-Wing sons-a-bitches. Anyone wants to join me in
turning their backs?
Be my guest, just don’t stand too close so we don’t get accused of mobbing for an illegal “demonstration.”
I suspect that this will get litigated. The Oran
…
I suspect that this will get litigated. The Orange Haired One will not have been able to make any judicial appointments, so the likelihood of this standing up in court is nil.
And the more he tries to prevent it, the more it becomes news, and therefore harder for the MSM to block out.
It’s why we belong to the ACLU, for just situati
…
It’s why we belong to the ACLU, for just situations such as this.
We were at Prez Obama’s first inauguration. Temp chain link fence and snow fences were trampled down by the crowd. Everyone was in a good mood, helping one another. Especially the ladies from New Orleans, who didn’t have warm enough coats & mittens. (I gave them a spare pair).
One of the groups lining up for the 2008 parade were a group of Indians, on horses, in beautiful formal headdresses. I hope groups such as they, withdraw from the parade. Gov’ment groups such as military, police, Park Service may not have a choice; but wouldn’t it be wonderful to see others, for whom it is an option, decline to participate??
There was absolutely no reason to close areas for months then for ‘construction and/or destruction’. This hasn’t happened for 40+ previous events.
It’s not an abridgement of speech...the Governme
…
It’s not an abridgement of speech...the Government can place reasonable time, place and manner restrictions on things like protests.
I don’t know if Trump is involved with this decision, but either way I can’t blame the NPS for not wanting the inauguration to turn into a clust*rfuck. The people who are there to enjoy the inauguration have a right to enjoy the inauguration. DC is enough a nightmare during inauguration week without adding massive protests to it.
Oh, that’s just the last straw Pi-Pi — get lost.
…
Oh, that’s just the last straw Pi-Pi — get lost. (Man, you do NOT want to see what I almost posted!) If not a troll, you certainly have all the virtual qualities. You are a moron (Oh, so politically incorrect for all the ree-rees out there).
What is the reason the National Park Service gives? The NPS is well respected, and is regarded as completely non-partisan. I don’t have any reason to believe, or evidence, that the things they’ve laid out are not legitimate.
Well, here’s NPS’s reasoning, from the linked ar
…
Well, here’s NPS’s reasoning, from the linked article:
It’s partly a practical issue. Inauguration bleachers and viewing stands started being erected on 1 November and it will take until 1 March to completely clear the major public spaces from all of the inauguration works, said Mike Litterst, spokesman for the NPS.
“They’re construction zones, effectively,” said Litterst.
So you have reason to believe that NPS, is, what? Suppressing free speech on Trump’s behalf? Do you have any evidence that their motivation is anything other than the practical considerations they’ve outlined?
The only evidence I have is the absurdly long ti
…
The only evidence I have is the absurdly long time they are saying it will take to clear it. Do you have any evidence that shows this amount of time is typical or reasonable?
They haven’t claimed the need to restrict gather
…
They haven’t claimed the need to restrict gatherings after more than 50 such events in the past. And President Obama’s first Inauguration in 2008, which drew huge numbers of celebrants, welcomed everyone. We didn’t need to protest the day afterwards, but went to national art galleries, and the National Archives (to see the Constitution and DoI) as did many others.
No other gatherings allowed, but yet the Trump camp wants to land a helicopter on the Mall or WH lawn?????
It’s no conspiracy. It is someone ‘inside’ knowi
…
It’s no conspiracy. It is someone ‘inside’ knowing that permits have to be secured, and by doing it a year in advance, they were insuring as little outward dissent as needed, if it would be needed. They could always cancel the request, or stage their own demos if H. Clinton won.
This is the kind of
think
we used to mock Republicans over. And rightly so.
The Repukelicans use every dirty trick and trap in the book. The NPS is probably afraid — not a conspiracy, just operations as usual. Dems and Independents are much better at mocking — Repukelicans are much better at authoritarian punishment and being sneaky.
The evidence? How about the fact that it has nev
…
The evidence? How about the fact that it has never in the entire history of this country taken anywhere remotely near that long to break down the bleachers and so on after the inauguration? It would be *impossible* for it to take that long even if they were working fairly slowly.
DC does this every 4 years remember, plus on other special occasions, and they are *very* efficient about getting things all wrapped up and put away within a matter of *days* after the event.
Oh, yeah, and the evidence of my own eyes when I lived there and attended an inauguration, then drove around right afterwards. I don't think anything was closed to traffic for more than a day or so tops. Sorry, Pi Li, this is suppression of free speech, plain and simple. Fascism. There is no way to interpret it as anything else.
Well, perhaps. If they are working in that area,
…
Well, perhaps. If they are working in that area, it’s reasonable to limit protests until they’ve completed the work. And there are plenty of other areas in DC for people to protest and have their voices heard.
Thats’s what time, place and manner restrictions are. There are some places that you’re not allowed to protest
at all. So if there’s a legitimate reason to restrict the protests, and the NPS applies the restrictions neutrally, I don’t see what the problem is.
That said, I’m sure this decision will be challenged, and we’ll see what the courts have to say about it.
Quite seriously, folks — do not be intimidated b
…
Quite seriously, folks — do not be intimidated by this bullshit. You can go anywhere you want in this beautiful country and say whatever you want. THEY have to spend court time telling you otherwise and WE have good lawyers. March, speak, protest, activate, resist, defy, oppose, obstruct, mock, sing, do whatever you can non-violently, . . and, if the fascism gets as violent as it may, then . . . well, you know the story. It’s not just this country, the future of the world hangs on this turning point.
Exactly. You just saw reality. Others here are s
…
Exactly. You just saw reality. Others here are saying "Why is Trump doing this?" He ain't president yet, folks. Consider this your final shanking by the Obama Administration.
It’s NOT “obama’s NPS”. It’s an independent agen
…
It’s NOT “obama’s NPS”. It’s an independent agency...at least as independent as a police agency gets. Why was the FBI re-investigating something they already investigated right before the election. Why were people swayed by a reality tv guy who literally advocated sexual assault and appears to have a closer bond with his daughter than his wife? Why? Because they can.
I’ve been pissed anyway, but now I’m double-down
…
I’ve been pissed anyway, but now I’m double-down angry. I live nearby DC and have done for decades—never before as far as I can remember has this happened. And who in the world “got to” the NPS? Really? What in the hell is wrong with these folks? Right to assemble? Freedom of speech? Right to be heard?
In 2000 they didn’t confiscate signs they just b
…
In 2000 they didn’t confiscate signs they just barred anyone found to have one, so the same will probably go for jackets, unless the jacket is reversible, but you can always fold up a sign as well.
Paging Lawrence Lessig, Lawrence Tribe-you said you would provide pro bono services, I think now would be a good time. This is completely unacceptable.
Yes, a clear violation of the 1st Amendment. Now
…
Yes, a clear violation of the 1st Amendment. Now is the time for the protest groups to sue the Park Service in the DC Circuit Court. I believe their makeup is a Dem. majority and with the SC divided 4 & 4, a DC Circuit ruling should stand.
You do understand that libral ideals still stand
…
You do understand that libral ideals still stand for judicial impartiality regardless of race, religion, or creed and that many judges who are Democrats take the integrity of their duties seriously.
The corporate take over of our Government is now
…
The corporate take over of our Government is now quite complete and they will not allow dissent about it. We are supposed to just keep bleating our baa-baa sounds where no one can see us. They know the truth. The truth is that nearly half of citizens find their system so repugnant, they didn’t even vote. AND, of those leftover, a MINORITY voted this group in to office. That represents extreme danger for them. They are powerful freaks of mathematics.
This strikes me as incredibly stupid, for the ve
…
This strikes me as incredibly stupid, for the very reason you cite: people who wish to go to Washington and protest will do so, and without a designated, controlled space, the chances of protests being disruptive increase.
These guys are dumber than the Junior Bush League, who at least came up with the “First Amendment zone” hogwash.
It’s about what you would expect. Note, ANSWER coalition went to court over NPS restrictions and won, but it was too late to affect the inauguration itself.
In addition Inaugurations are National Special Security Events which in effect suspends the Constitution for the duration. The NPS is going too far, however, in their efforts to quash demonstrations for months.
that’s not exactly the situation. The NPS blocke
…
that’s not exactly the situation. The NPS blocked the space 10 months ago and it’s standard for them to do that. Once the PIC decides what they need, they tell NPS. The situation here is, this PIC, in contrast to past PICs, still has not let NPS know what they need and don’t need, so the whole block still stands until they do.
The scuttle about the Women’s March is, the rally at the Lincoln Memorial has been denied and they’re trying to work out an alternate location.
They can deny permits for the rally all they want but they can’t stop us from marching, you don’t need a permit for that.
Of course, like all things in Trumplandia, the situation is fluid.
I just called the National Parks office. Numbers
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I just called the National Parks office. Numbers are at the bottom of this reply if you want to call too.
The agent I spoke to said this was the normal process, that they're treating this protest group no differently than any other protest group. I didn't get his name, but the agent was a middle-aged-sounding man with a medium-pitched voice, low tenor.
First he brought up the construction zone bit-- said on average it takes about 10 days to clear out the equipment post-inauguaration. 10 days-- not a month! I told him so, for cleanup they did not need to block until March 1st. He said, "what if there's a blizzard?" I said, still doesn't justify a month.
He said something about the first-come, first-serve basis of permit application for the Nat'l Mall-- he talked about the NPS' policy of preferential reservation for the federal government-- is looks like the T***p transition team simply got there before we did? That would not be a surprise. So far-- uh oh, looks like the man I spoke to likes to hide behind "the process" and has some ready excuses for what's going on.
I asked him if the size of the protest was the main factor, because this is going to be a lot bigger than other anti-inaugural protests. The agent said no.
I then told him the NPS' decision looked bad, that it made them look like cowards. I asked the agent if anyone in his department had been pressured by the T***p transition team. He said no. I told him regardless, that's what it's going to look like. That anything like this is going to look like the NPS rolled over.
I also told him about bad bosses, (exemplified by the incoming WH occupant) about how they consider disagreement a firing offense. But also, how they use "the process" against those who dissent. How they use "the process", and even normal social behavior, against those they do not like, in a very subtle manner. I asked the agent to remember his own experience with a bad boss.
Anyway-- if you want to call the NPS, here's their number:
(202) 208-6843
There's even a special division of the NPS for the National Mall. Their number is:
(203) 205-4675.
I got the voice mail of a Nancy Murray.
The important points are: their decision does not look good, no matter how according to established process it may be, and remember that a bad boss uses rules, procedures and norms against people they wish to punish.
I love it-”what if there is a blizzard”. For DC an inch of snow is a “blizzard” — everything shuts down, including most government agencies. Glad you posted this though. I don’t have the patience required to call them now...but when I gather it up and don’t feel the need to curse them out, I will call.
STATEMENT REGARDING PERMITS ON THE NATIONAL MALL IN WASHINGTON, DC DURING THE INAUGURATION:
Providing the space required for the Presidential inauguration, while also accommodating the free speech rights of protesters and supporters, is a longstanding responsibility for the National Park Service. The National Park Service continues to work with the Gathering for Justice (also commonly referred to as the Women’s March on Washington) and has identified locations where the group can hold its event on January 21. The National Park Service has not denied their permit to use the Lincoln Memorial and will continue to work with all of those who have permit requests pending for that space on January 21.
The Lincoln Memorial may not be available for additional permitted events on January 21 because the Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC) and the American Constitution Society put in permits for that space before the Gathering for Justice group. When there is a conflict of time and location for events on the National Mall, precedence is established by the order in which the permit application was received. The PIC may choose to release the Lincoln Memorial space on January 21, and if that happens, the space could be made available for other permits.
It is the longstanding practice of the National Park Service to create an application on behalf of the PIC in advance of the inauguration, in order to start the complex planning process for inauguration.
The Lincoln Memorial is among the sites permitted to the PIC to stage the inaugural opening celebration and the PIC permit would have been issued for this timeframe, regardless of which candidate had won the election.
Because Obama has an authoritarian streak that i
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Because Obama has an authoritarian streak that is really uncomfortable for Democrats to admit. Remember, his last action as a US Senator was voting to give the big telecoms immunity for the illegal spying they conducted under the Bush Administration.
Civil disobedience fully in order: it is imperat
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Civil disobedience fully in order: it is imperative to march on DC, and I plan to. I thought originally perhaps to stay in California. Now, I believe I will just go to DC instead. I have family nearby I can stay with and often do. I do not want to participate in an alternative plan because I am not interested in enabling Trump in any way, shape, or form. I believe it has reached a point where our voices and presence must be heard and clear.
I live just outside DC and went to Obama’s inaug
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I live just outside DC and went to Obama’s inauguration and protested Bush’s 2nd and they usually build bleachers and stands near the Capitol (around the Capitol up to 3rd st), and along the roads the motorcade will travel down. I’ve never seen bleachers and viewing stands built for an inauguration on the mall between 3rd street and the Lincoln memorial.
They built Arbitron style viewing screens all along the mall, but no stands or bleachers. None of that would inhibit a protest action. So, this is just bullshit.
I rented a white car and used black shoe polish to write “SHAME ON JUDGE WARREN” on it and drove all over Rockland County, New York for a week as other cars honked in approval and people waved. I wore a sweatshirt that was decorated with “FORT BENNING GEORGIA, SHAME ON CHILD MOLESTERS!” to 14 tours of the Pentagon; nobody could stop me. Whenever anybody asked me what it meant I explained, and half of them met me afterwards for a description of the case wherein a colonel who was head of the marksmanship unit had been nailed by the CID for molesting four children, but his CO would not court martial him. I wrote “JUDGE WARREN SUPPORTS RAPE” in white-out on a black silk jacket that I wore to Marcia Rimland’s funeral in New York and nobody could make me take it off, and journalists reported on it. I am planning which coat to decorate for January 21, when I will enjoy the sights in Washington DC. Particularly outside the building that displays the First Amendment.
Perhaps the bright blue wool coat with white letters. Red scarf and gloves.
From Time magazine website 23 hours ago…...”Mike …
From Time magazine website 23 hours ago…...”Mike Litterst, a spokesman for the National Park Service, said the public will not be barred from these spaces, since they will be open for inaugural events. He also noted that the Presidential Inauguration Committee’s permits were filed a year in advance, 10 months before the organizers of the Women’s March on Washington filed a permit for the Lincoln Memorial — and permits are generally issued on a “first come, first serve” basis.
The Women’s March on Washington was organized for Jan. 21, the day following the inauguration and was set to be held at the Lincoln Memorial. According to a Facebook event, over 136,000 people are due to attend. Litterst said the National Park Service is currently working with the march’s organizers to find an alternative space for people to gather.
He said the regulations being used for the 2017 inauguration do not differ from the rules used for the past two inauguration ceremonies since the current rules came into effect in 2008, before Barack Obama’s first inauguration the following year.”
Fuck Trump. Fuck the permits. Fuck playing by th
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Fuck Trump. Fuck the permits. Fuck playing by the rules, the ones that brought the gilded reich.
The streets belong to the people. The people belong in the streets.
You don’t need a first amendment petting zoo. You don’t need rows of shiny portapotties. You don’t need attractive, professionally made handbills. You don’t need a stage full of celebrities.
Every block in D.C. has a nice wide sidewalk stretching from the building facades to the curb.
FILL THOSE SIDEWALKS UP.
Get off our asses and out of our comfort zones. Get off of Facebook. Do something real. Get yourself to D.C. Stand up. Represent.
Won’t it be difficult? Yes. Expensive? Yes, but if you think bus fare to D.C. is costly, you want to try living in subjugation?
Might it be dangerous? Especially given the Trumpers’ propensity for anger, and sometimes violence? Yes. So travel in groups, or hook up with other like-minded people at the scene.If you have a smartphone, get an app to upload pics and video to civil rights groups.
Do it. Do it for Dr. King. Do it for Bobby Kennedy. Do it for Michael, and Trayvon, and Laquan, and Earl. For Mr. and Mrs. Khizr Khan and the memory of their beloved and heroic son. Do it for a blood smeared child in a Syrian ambulance. For the 97 year old woman who lost her home to Mnuchin’s outfit, over a 27 cent shortfall. Do it for every decrepit urban school system in every city that caves on tax abatement for bastard developers like Trump. Do it for every maternal fatality in every state that has forced the shuttering of women’s health care facilities. Do it for coal miners who, after doing one of the shittiest jobs in God’s black earth, wonder if they have a pension and health care.
Get into the streets. Just do it. If you haven’t been beat down as many times as Rep. John Lewis, do it. If you haven’t been redlined out of a mortgage, do it. If you aren’t cutting meds in half and skipping meals, do it. If there’s picture hanging at home of your dad or mom or grandparents, in a uniform circa 1945, know that their honor and heroism before a global threat is wearing off, and DO IT.
Because if Donald Trump is about to take the oath of office, WE HAVE NOT DONE ENOUGH.
What is a fee Fee? there is some indication it i
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What is a fee Fee? there is some indication it is a rather obscene slang for prisoner activities- could that be correct? And if so perhaps it could be dispensed with and use some other term?
Well, if citizens do not have access to their st
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Well, if citizens do not have access to their streets/malls/parks etc. and are not allowed to peacefully gather and protest then we live in a dictatorship- we do seem to be leaning that way. Very sad really
All of DC is now Trump’s personal safe space. He
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All of DC is now Trump’s personal safe space. He has a lot of triggers you know.
But once a citizen has to ask the government for permission to protest (permits, please Mr. policeman don’t shoot me), then there is no 1st amendment anymore.
Permits are required for all protests in DC. Tha
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Permits are required for all protests in DC. That is a fact and has been for decades. Even the people protesting weekly in the park against Abortion must have a permit...I know because I used to get them stopped from protesting by insisting that they show their permit to the police - when they couldn't produce it they had to move on.
The truth of the matter is that it is complicated to arrange the inauguration and FEAR MONGERING because you are mad about the outcome of an election is just proving the Democratic party has lost all touch with reality.
Well I don’t know if anyone else has seen this, but I just got an email from my church about March for Life (pro-birthers) in DC on Jan. 27. I wonder if this is still going on. If so, this is a clear violation of the 1st amendment to let some activists march SO CLOSE TO INAUGURATION, but not others.
I had read about the March for Life — do they ha
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I had read about the March for Life — do they have permits for the location already approved? If so, then it looks like we have an opportunity in court. If they are just planning to go (without approved permits) or are waiting on permits, then everything is on hold. Based on the Washington Post article (link above), the hold up is the PIC — which isn’t surprising from the Trump camp.
that makes sense to me also. the Presidential In
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that makes sense to me also. the Presidential Inaugural Committee has a reason to delay as long as possible and has no reason to EVER release the blocked areas.
Let me put it this way: anyone who believes permits for the blocked areas will be released has more faith in the group surrounding DJT than I do.
Sounds like a great thing to put to the test and
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Sounds like a great thing to put to the test and get before the SCOTUS. Freedom to assemble is a fundamental right in this country. I expect lots of what Trump wants to do will ignore such things, but that is why we have a SCOTUS. Looks like we are going to see separation of powers getting put to the test right out of the gates. The Founding Fathers set it up like that for a reason, knowing one day we’d have a tyrant in office. They didn’t want you to trust me, or me to trust you when it came to this stuff. They wanted it set up so even if a tyrant does come to power, they can’t legally do whatever the hell they want.
To my knowledge, Nixon didn’t do this. Reagan di
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To my knowledge, Nixon didn’t do this. Reagan didn’t do this. Bush didn’t do this. Trump, as far as I know, will be the first president to try to restrict peaceable assembly this way.
Had a bet with my sister on which amendment woul
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Had a bet with my sister on which amendment would be suspended first, but somehow I thought He Who Must Not Be Named would wait until January 20. Silly me.
Those really cheap plastic rain slickers that co …
Those really cheap plastic rain slickers that come rolled up for like a dollar? They seem like they’d be a great canvas for slogans written with a marker….
On January 22nd the’ Right to Lifers’ have their
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On January 22nd the’ Right to Lifers’ have their annual anti-Roe/Wade March on the Mall. I have no info, but I would guess that one is approved and even have DT speaking at it. These are scary times.
This is a Rudy Giuliani, Bloomberg, Bush tactic.
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This is a Rudy Giuliani, Bloomberg, Bush tactic. Set up “free speech zones” to limit dissent. This is not new. We march anyway and don’t get flustered by their bullshit, kay?
Of course the fascists must not allow protests a
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Of course the fascists must not allow protests against the coronation. I would assume that the new director of the Park Service will find reasons to forbid all large gatherings in DC that might be protests from Jan. 20 on. People should ignore such. Let them try to arrest tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands of people.
Actually, an automotive protest might also have a big effect. A few million extra cars circulating around DC at low speed (or stopped in traffic) could be quite noticeable. Since DC has decent public transportation, transit protests could supplement the gridlock.
As far as I know that’s exactly what people are going to do. Free speech is guaranteed in the 1st Amendment to the Constitution. Of course the American Fuehrer doesn’t believe in free speech any more than his hero did. It’ll be interesting to see how he handles that kind of defiance of His Orangeness.
Like Hitler he’s been broadcasting his intention to become dictator, and like Hitler he’s been underestimated. Ordinary people want to believe that he doesn’t really mean all that crazy stuff, and the big wheels think they can control him.
If Herr Drumpf follows the pattern there will be a massive “terrorist attack” followed by a permanent state of national emergency followed by rule by decree. Note that Drumpf doesn’t need the Enabling Act; he already has the Patriot Act, which grants him pretty much the same power.
Did I not write a diary about this way back in t
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Did I not write a diary about this way back in the beginning? To be truthful, at the time I didn’t really think that the dumb ass, dead beats had enough of them to pull it off. Guess What!
Except it began at least as far back as the impl
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Except it began at least as far back as the implementation of that damned so-called “Patriot” Act. This was the only possible outcome once that happened. Too many people were either too stupid to see that, or didn’t care — or it’s what they *wanted* to happen.
This is not true. I am going to the Women’s Marc
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This is not true. I am going to the Women’s March on DC January 21st. The permits are done and we will be having our rally in front of the US Capitol Building On Independence Ave and 3rd street SW and the march will begin moving west on Independence Ave. Exact route is to be determined. I just received from one of the organizers. It’s a done deal. They will be posting this information on the website soon WEBSITE: www.womensmarch.com , www.washingtonpost.com/news/local/wp/2016/12/09/the-womens-march-on-washington-says-they-have-secured-a-starting-location/?utm_term=.414636ff08c4
You know...with texting and instagram, there are
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You know...with texting and instagram, there are ways to plan some kind of protest along the route the cars take? I think we’ll see some kind of statement made. People are creative when we have to be. And this administration will call for creativity to fight.
You know, Republicans have cell phones, too...th
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You know, Republicans have cell phones, too...they would be ticked off if they couldn’t communicate. One thing people here seem unaware of is that Republicans exist, there will be a bunch of them around celebrating Trump.
They’ve never had to give up anything noticeable …
They’ve never had to give up anything noticeable….everyone depends on their phones nowadays. Not being able to get their dear leader’s tweets on their special day would be a no go. Besides, everyone knows cutting cell service would make security more difficult, not less.
all i know is that they shut down cell phone rec
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all i know is that they shut down cell phone reception in Boston for the Red Sox World Series victory parade because they were concerned about aftermath of the Marathon bombings. If they would do that for a sporting event, they would do it for an incoming president who is despised by so many.
there was a rumor that the Tsarnaev brothers may
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there was a rumor that the Tsarnaev brothers may have detonated their devices using a cell phone trigger, and this was the first big outdoor public event after the Marathon bombings.
I was at a meeting where we suddenly all realized we had no cell service and it was a serious inconvenience. Then we temporarily adjourned the meeting to go outside and watch the victory parade go by, and that was when we heard that cell phone service downtown was shut down for the duration of the parade.
yep, good point Spammy, that way the protesters can be blamed for causing disruptions, you know, being there makes them a target and made the Deplorables mad enough to do x, y, a z.
It would be cool if there could be thousands of people walking around in home-made white dunce caps. No signs, noise or disruptive behavior required and it would provide photos with a very clear message
I think that instead of marching or whatnot, eve …
I think that instead of marching or whatnot, everyone should line the inauguration route… and silently turn their backs when the motorcade passes. Or go to the inauguration, down in front, near the mic’s… and make no peep whatsoever. No interruptions, no applause… just stone dead silence. A paltry crowd to mar the moment.
that might make sense if the inauguration were a
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that might make sense if the inauguration were a smaller event.
you can’t get “down in front near the mics” for the swearing-in. That area is all reserved seating and very heavily policed, and the mics are up much higher than where people are sitting and standing.
also, if you turn your back on the motorcade there will be lots of other people between you and the street
Too reminiscent of the types of controls you mig
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Too reminiscent of the types of controls you might expect in Russia- This is a blatant and heavy handed suppression of free speech. Aren’t there any Lawyers out there that can fight this? Make them PROVE they will be using this space during that Whole time span.
Apparently the incoming Administration is a tad concerned that there may be one or two people who wish to express a negative opinion about the way they are conducting themselves.
Of course,
they’ve
done nothing wrong. /s
Besides, how do they know we are not there to see the cherry blossoms?
I didn’t know that “BrainDead” was a documentary ...
Once again — small groups, as was kindly pointed
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Once again — small groups, as was kindly pointed out somewhere above — 25 or less? — scattered at any locations on the Mall, turn their backs in silent, non-violent protest. Cannot be missed. Requests should be made to any lines of police nearby, to respond if your group becomes threatened. I will be there, by myself or with a group for comfort.
Come on folks, you are the millennials. I attend
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Come on folks, you are the millennials. I attended my first protest rally in 1970. There is absolutely nothing the authorities can if you organize relatively small flash mob protests, quick, in strategic & important locations, and get the fuck out of there. We who oppose the inauguration of the Tangerine Terror as our next POTUS will win the news cycle Inauguration Day.
Al Sharpton has planned a protest for Jan. 14 at
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Al Sharpton has planned a protest for Jan. 14 at the MLK memorial and I wonder if this one will be affected as well. Not right on the mall, but close. It will be interesting to see what happens with this protest and it may provide some clues as to what to expect on Jan. 20 and 21.
A resident of the District for 40 years I though
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A resident of the District for 40 years I thought this story sounded fishy, and it is. So I Googled it.
Every 4 years the National Park Service takes out a block of permits on behalf of the Inauguration Committee 1 year before the inauguration. [Trump wasn't even a serious contender then.] Once the committee determines what it needs, the remaining permits are released.
Even so, groups of 25 or fewer require no permit and the NPS allows larger groups to assemble as long as they are not blocking anything. The NPS policy is to foster free speech.
So come and jeer if you want.
The National Women's March leaders say their event is still on.
Your first comment, sad to say, attracted our mo
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Your first comment, sad to say, attracted our most grumpy spambots, scoop and Despaminate3000. Hopefully, we can rescind their actions quickly. Checking with the Help Desk.
more than 100,000 are already committed to attend the women’s march on Washington and that number is low because most of the people I know have not signed up but are still going (like me).
there are very few places in DC where a crowd of 100,000 or more can gather.
so prohibiting use of these large public spaces inhibits mass demonstrations. period.
Various people have linked to the Washington Post article in this thread, and I have already read it. The only different thing in the WaPo article is the time frame mentioned. The Guardian article brings up the March 1 date.
Well, the WaPo article also points out that this
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Well, the WaPo article also points out that this is the NPS modus operendi for every inauguration rather than some Trump conspiracy.
And that the women’s march has not been canceled, despite reports to the contrary.
The National Park Service did a great job for the gay march on washington in ‘87, which was easily a million people, and the Colbert/Daly Rally to Restore Sanity.
My only concern—and this is purely my limited and unsourced conjecture—is that the Trumpettes will grab as much space as they can justify.
i didn’t say the women’s march was cancelled, an
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i didn’t say the women’s march was cancelled, and haven’t seen anyone else reporting that either. it’s common knowledge that they are trying to find another place to gather.
but there are only a few open spaces downtown big enough to accommodate a crowd of 100,000 or more if the Mall and the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument are denied.
and it is most definitely *not* NPS modus operandi to wait this close to the inauguration before letting groups know whether they will be allowed to protest. that is the whole point of the headline of the WaPo article: this is very late for groups to not know whether their permits will be granted.
And the March 1 date mentioned in the Guardian article is very concerning. It is also not NPS modus operandi to stretch an inaugural restriction that many weeks after the inauguration. Perfect example of that is the forced birthers march that happens every year to mark the anniversary of the Roe v Wade decision. It always falls within a few days of the inauguration, and interestingly, their permit for this year for use of the Washington Monument grounds has NOT been delayed.
IANAL and you can call me paranoid if you want but I see content based discrimination here
With all due respect, I question the veracity of
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With all due respect, I question the veracity of this article. If I am wrong, I apologize. Barack Obama is still President, so how would this kind of order come from the National Park Service? Again, I could be wrong, but we must all be concerned about the proliferation of fake news stories, and how posting, forwarding, clicking on them contributes financially to those who write them. This is only the second story I have read on KOS that I suspected of not being genuine. The other one (and again, if I’m wrong, I apologize) purported to be from an ex-wife of Trump, who had been convinced to marry him because he carried a Bible around and quoted from it to persuade her. That really set off my BS detector, while the rest of the article contained statements that most opponents of Trump, including myself, were inclined to believe might be true. I heard one of the guys who write and profit from fake news stories say that right-wing sites generated lots of hits and lots of money, while fake ‘liberal’ stories fell flat and weren’t worth the effort. But who’s to say that if writers learn how to push our buttons, we won’t help them circulate misinformation as predictably as people on the right? Please check this out, and again, if it is true, I apologize.
ok tell me the part you doubt and i will clarify
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ok tell me the part you doubt and i will clarify it for you.
you can also go to the linked article at the Guardian and tell me what part of that you doubt and I will try to clarify that as well, although I can only speak definitively for what I myself have written.
I gayronetee you, TBM is the real deal. He/she h
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I gayronetee you, TBM is the real deal. He/she has been around these parts a long time. We’ve even locked horns a couple of times. This person is not a troll.
How is this legal or constitutional? If you can’t protest the president in the nation’s capitol, what right to protest is there? Stand in a desert, but don't make noise?
Isn’t there a legal challenge for this? This is one of those basic political rights.
I am now wondering about MLK’s march on Washington. I remember Kennedy first opposed it, then agreed to it and met the leaders, but I can’t remember if he could have prevented it.
Maybe an alternate protest should be held at trump tower if it can be blocked in DC. At least we know the leader in NYC will not prevent it.
You will only be allowed to walk if you " goose step" or wear your KKK sheets.
Americas 2nd dictatorship " first being King George " Trumputin with his gestapo of deplorables. You can bet they will be there and if you show up you can count on the same treatment the guy got at the Rump rally yesterday . Were the next so call Presadent said " GET HIM OUT Of HERE , were do these people come from Get him out" of a US CITIZEN who didnt support him. Deffently a sign of the things to come. A rise of the Fourth Reich ?????????
The only way you’re ever going to get Trump out of office is to surround the capitol with millions of demonstrators while Congress is in session. That’s now, or whatever Trump holds the office 20 years from now.
I have a lot of questions. So what if people wen
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I have a lot of questions. So what if people went to DC to protest anyway? Would they be arrested for not having a permit? Can there be a legal challenge to using the permit requirement to subvert the right to peaceable assembly? Does this mean there is always a way for the government to just up and subvert constitutionally guaranteed rights?
Good points. Trump is no friend of the National Park Service, so why did they do his bidding to stop protests in the traditional places for them? The "construction zone" reason is specious.
There are a lot of comments on this diary. Some are pointing out that reserving several blocks before an inauguration is standard practice, and that demonstrations are not actually prohibitive in all of DC. This news might be on the border between hyperbolic and fake. And maybe from now on, we each have to check EVERY SINGLE STORY we see.
Legal challenges will fail if the NPS acted reas
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Legal challenges will fail if the NPS acted reasonably and giving preference to the inauguration is certainly going to be considered to be reasonable by any court.
A protest march with permits is a “parade”. If t …
A protest march with permits is a “parade”. If they don’t provide the permits, the protests should occur anyway. That’s what will make them bonafide protests.
That said, all the prep for these protests seem disjointed. Why is Michael Moore staging one protest, the Women’s March another, etc…? Join together and blow them away with the sheer mass of the numbers.
Oh, hell no! The people will be heard and seen v
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Oh, hell no! The people will be heard and seen voicing their opinions as never before, and no itty-bitty blocks by Trump and his adherents can stop the voice of the people. We’ll see who’s a populist and who isn't. Hillary has a 2.7 million lead in the popular vote so far, and she's my President in 2017, as far as I'm concerned. To those who say, “Give Trump a chance”, I say, “You didn’t give Obama a chance. Trump is showing during his transition that he’ll be a terrible President, nominating a kakistocracy. He blew his "chance” already.” No honeymoon for Trump.
it’s not off www.womensmarch.com I hope everyone is coordinating centrally, because a good social action is a coordinated social action. Otherwise it’s disorganized and ineffective. I’m in DC — these folks are planning to meet at McPherson Square, which is on K Street. Now, given that at least 100,000 people are expected, that will be tight, so it’s likely that people will walk. We are allowed to carry signs in public — no need to have them pinned to our clothing. I can carry a poster in the grocery store, on my college campus, or when I’m strolling with my mom and my daughter (who is flying in from Denver) to stroll on the mall. My taxes pay for it. I want to go see the Lincoln Monument and see if the great marble statue is really shedding tears, as I’ve been told.
No, no, no, just no. That's not how this works. They're doing the same thing they do every inaugural year. They set aside the permits a year in advance, just as they always do, for every incoming president. The delays are happening because Trump's inaugural team is incompetent and way behind schedule.
If we don't stick to facts on the left, it's all over. We can't counter their conspiracy bullshit with more of the same, we have to be accurate and fact-based to counter a world of lies.
Facts:
"But the National Park Service, which handles permitting, said it does not grant any requests until the Presidential Inaugural Committee, which plans the parade and other events to usher in the new president, maps out where it will hold inauguration-related activities.
Although each incoming president is afforded the same courtesy, the issue is attracting special attention this year since the bitter election emboldened more people to organize to support their causes. Typically, federal officials said, only a handful of groups seek a First Amendment Permit from the Park Service for the quadrennial event.
Federal regulations essentially give priority to the inaugural committee, setting aside prime land, including the entire Mall between First and 14th streets NW and the Ellipse by the White House, for its use. Land around the Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument also is included.
The Park Service, as a matter of standard practice, applies on behalf of the committee for the sweeping permits a year in advance, according to Mike Litterst, a Park Service spokesman. The committee then typically relinquishes some of them, allowing demonstrators to secure their permits.
The permits are doled out on a first-come, first-served basis. Trump’s Presidential Inaugural Committee hasn’t technically been issued any permits yet, but it’s at the front of the line to receive them. The committee, according to Litterst, has not yet rescinded any of the permits and does not have a deadline for deciding.
Alex Stroman, a spokesman for the Presidential Inaugural Committee, a private entity, said the group is still figuring out its plans for inauguration and has not yet made any decisions about which pieces of land it will use."
This piece might just be a bit of fear mongering
…
This piece might just be a bit of fear mongering...sorry the Inauguration is complicated...hell I stood for nearly 20 hours in line to see President Obama's 2008 Inauguration with 1,000's of others many who didn't have a ticket...it is massive and super high security....not everything is an evil plot - sometimes it is just real life. Hillary lost - it is sad - it is however the truth. There is no special plot to stop anti-Trump protests.
If not the NPS is clearly discriminating on the basis of content. But if not there is no real grievance; reschedule for March when the weather is better.
(And get a group not connected to Al Sharpton to organize it.)
Back in 2006, there was Sop Box placed on Indepe
…
Back in 2006, there was Sop Box placed on Independence Mall in Philadelphia and it was later announced no more political commentary, So I went there with ACLU leaflets 99% of it the Bill of Rights and handed it out as a park ranger kept threatening me with arrest as a NY Times Photographer, and local TV were filming. Maybe a poster on the Mall hailing Trump's Coronation. In January I think it might be worse in Philadelphia than DC because Senator Toomie and Philadelphia State Republican Rep. Are trying it cut off all Federal and state financing until Philadelphia stops being a Sanctuary City
Back in 2006, there was Sop Box placed on Indepe
…
Back in 2006, there was Sop Box placed on Independence Mall in Philadelphia and it was later announced no more political commentary, So I went there with ACLU leaflets 99% of it the Bill of Rights and handed it out as a park ranger kept threatening me with arrest as a NY Times Photographer, and local TV were filming. Maybe a poster on the Mall hailing Trump's Coronation. In January I think it might be worse
in Philadelphia than DC because Senator Toomie and Philadelphia State Republican Rep. Are trying it cut off all Federal and state financing until Philadelphia stops being a Sanctuary City/
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